3 SA ex-cops: NPP’s third escape route backfires

Another desperate attempt by the largest opposition party, NPP to divert attention from the core issues raised on the illegal involvement of South Africa mercenaries in training bodyguards for Nana Akufo Addo has backfired.

Acting National Chairman, Freddie Blay told a news conference on Thursday, the NPP has intercepted intelligence on government’s plot to expose their Flagbearer to security risks.

A frustrated Freddie Blay was emphatic, ‘What I am about to disclose is very sensitive information which we have kept for very good reasons. The posture of the state authorities on this matter has left us with no choice. …. We know of the role that key political players in the NDC such as the party’s Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho and others from the Flagstaff House are playing to falsely accuse Nana Akufo-Addo of importing mercenaries and using that as a pretext to criminalize and neutralize these legitimate effort to merely protect our Presidential candidate, his running mate and their spouses. At this juncture, it is important we disclose to the general public that the NPP has been receiving intelligence reports over a period of time.”

Freddie Blay, who was once a 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, however, stopped short of providing evidence.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho described as very funny another poor attempt by the NPP to throw dust in the eyes of Ghanaians.

He told Joy News Francis Abban that, first on Tuesday, NPP’s own Director of Communications acknowledged in a press statement that the three South Africa ‘mercenaries’ were invited into the country by their party to train bodyguards.

He argued that such a decision couldn’t have taken place without the knowledge and consent of the Flagbearer. ‘Nana Akufo-Addo is neck deep in this agenda of bringing these men into this country under false pretenses claiming that they are on a business trip.

The NDC Deputy Chief Scribe said if the business the alleged mercenaries claimed they were in the country to do was to train people in weapon handling, then their arrest is legitimate.

NPP has held three separate press conferences on this matter with conflicting statements. On Tuesday, NPP’s Director of Communications tried to justify their position claiming the three suspects were brought in by Captain Koda, the Head of Security for the NPP Flagbearer.

On Wednesday, Deputy Communications Director, Perry Okudzeto also addressed the media. He reiterated the role of Delta Security, a Ghanaian private security firm which he claimed the three suspects were consulting for and questioned the basis for their arrest.

When Acting Chairman, Freddie Blay, was quizzed by Joy FM for evidence on the intelligence he claims they have intercepted, he fumbled. ‘You have arrested people training our private security men and put them before court. The head of Security you put him also before court… People who are manning the security. Don’t you want to compromise the security of the head of our party? He asked.

When pressed further, this was Mr. Blay’s response; “We are making an argument. I have not made specific allegations that yesterday they threw stones at them. I have not made an allegation that yesterday, President John Mahama was with a gun”.

He further claimed they picked up information about a possible attack.

Deputy NDC General Secretary, who later spoke to Kojo Banfo of the Citizen's Mail, described Freddie Blay’s attempt as an embarrassment to himself. He said NPP's enemies are within. Nana Akufo-Addo has created enemies within his own party after chasing people out and disintegrating the party.

He said the NPP must look within if they fear for their Flagbearer. Attempts to drag in President Mahama, he said, will fail because he is optimistic of a one touch victory and is, therefore, focused on projects that will transform the lives of people.

Meanwhile, an Accra Circuit Court has granted a bail plea by the three South African ex-police officers.

The trio who have been in BNI’s custody since Sunday were granted bail to the tune of Ghc20,000 each with two sureties. The Circuit Judge, Patricia Quansah ordered the BNI to keep the passports of the accused persons. The case has been adjourned until April.

The three, Major Chris Hazis (rtd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwayhe, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45, have been charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit crime Contrary to section 23 of act 29, unlawful training and Making false declaration contrary to section 52(1) of immigration service act 2000.

The Head of Nana Addo’s security team, Captain (rtd) Edmund Koda, and the owner of the EL-Capitano Hotel, Captain (rtd) Acquah, who were also arrested on Wednesday and released on bail have also been charged.

The trio were arrested at the El Capitano Hotel in Agona Duakwa for allegedly training 15 young men in various security drill and rapid response maneuvers, weapon handling, and VIP protection techniques.